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Indonesia's Mount Kelud in Java island erupts

Associated Press
8:50 p.m. CST February 14, 2014

Residents evacuate under a massive plume of hot ash clouds spewing from Mount Kelud volcano as seen from Malang district in East Java province on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed three people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports. AFP AFP/Getty Images

A resident takes photos during the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano from Kediri town in East Java province on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents watch the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano from Kediri town in East Java province on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Volcanic clouds rise from the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano as seen from Kediri town in East Java province on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

A resident clears volcanic ash on the road of Kediri in East Java province following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Indonesian airport personnel inspect volcanic ash covered planes and the airport of Yogyakarta about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of the Mount Kelud volcano in East Java province following its eruption on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed at least two people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports Friday. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Indonesian airport personnel inspect volcanic ash covered planes and the airport of Yogyakarta about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of the Mount Kelud volcano in East Java province following its eruption on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed at least two people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports Friday. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Indonesian airport personnel inspect volcanic ash covered planes and the airport of Yogyakarta about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of the Mount Kelud volcano in East Java province following its eruption on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed at least two people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports Friday. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents are transported to an evacuation center Kediri in East Java province following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents walk to an evacuation center along the ash covered road of Kediri in East Java province following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents walk to an evacuation center along the ash covered road of Kediri in East Java province following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Volcanic ash covers planes and the airport of Solo in Central Java about 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of Mount Kelud volcano on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

A becak driver wearing a full helmet passes over ash covered ground of the Sultan's palace in Solo in Central Java about 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of Mount Kelud volcano on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Ash covered residents arrive at an evacuation center in Malang, East Java province on February 14, 2014 following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed at least two people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Volcanic ash covers a plane and the airport of Solo in Central Java about 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of Mount Kelud volcano on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

A boy wears a mask as protection from volcanic ash at an evacuation center in Malang, East Java province on February 14, 2014 following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed at least two people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Indonesian soldiers evacuate ash covered residents in Malang, East Java province on February 14, 2014 following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed at least two people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents wear masks on a truck during a mass evacuation in Malang, East Java province on February 14, 2014 following the eruption of the Mount Kelud volcano. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Foreign and local passengers look on flight schedule screen at Jakarta's International airport, in Tangerang-Banten, on February 14, 2014 as many flights being cancelled due to the eruption of Mount Kelud in East Java. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Indonesian soldiers wrap stupas of the ancient Borubudur temple in Central Java province to protect from the rain of volcanic ash from Mount Kelud volcano on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. Borubudur a UNESCO World Heritage Site built between period 8th and 9th century is located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Kelud volcano. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Indonesian soldiers wrap stupas of the ancient Borubudur temple in Central Java province to protect from the rain of volcanic ash from Mount Kelud volcano on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. Borubudur a UNESCO World Heritage Site built between period 8th and 9th century is located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Kelud volcano. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents are transported on a truck during a mass evacuation of Kediri in East Java province on February 14, 2014 following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents are housed in a community hall during a mass evacuation of Kediri in East Java province following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano, on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

A family fleeing on a motorcycle during mass evacuation pass the ash covered village of Kediri in East Java province on February 14, 2014 following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents clean ash covered roofs in the village of Kediri in East Java province on February 14, 2014 following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Indonesian police wearing face masks arrive at an ash covered village during mass evacuations in Kediri in East Java province on February 14, 2014 following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

A stone figure of buddha at the ancient Borobudur temple in Central Java is smeared with volcanic ash on February 14, 2014 following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. Borobudur a UNESCO World Heritage Site built between 8th and 9th century is located about 200 kilometers west of Kelud volcano. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents clean up volcanic ash on their property in Solo in Central Java province on February 14, 2014 following the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Volcanic ash blankets Yogyakarta in Central Java about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of the Mount Kelud volcano in East Java province on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents evacuate under a massive plume of hot ash clouds spewing from Mount Kelud volcano as seen from Malang district in East Java province on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed three people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents evacuate under a massive plume of hot ash clouds spewing from Mount Kelud volcano as seen from Malang district in East Java province on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed three people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports. AFP AFP/Getty Images

A massive plume of hot ash clouds spew from Mount Kelud volcano as seen from Malang district in East Java province on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed three people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents evacuate under a massive plume of hot ash clouds spewing from Mount Kelud volcano as seen from Malang district in East Java province on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed three people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents evacuate under a massive plume of hot ash clouds spewing from Mount Kelud volcano as seen from Malang district in East Java province on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed three people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports. AFP AFP/Getty Images

A child cries in the evacuation center in Malang district during the eruption of Mount Kelud volcano in East Java province on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed three people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports. AFP AFP/Getty Images

Residents evacuate under a massive plume of hot ash clouds spewing from Mount Kelud volcano as seen from Malang district in East Java province on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed three people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports. AFP AFP/Getty Images

A resident evacuates under a massive plume of hot ash clouds spewing from Mount Kelud volcano as seen from Malang district in East Java province on February 14, 2014. A spectacular volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed three people and forced mass evacuations, disrupting long-haul flights and closing international airports. AFP AFP/Getty Images

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Volcanic ash blankets Yogyakarta in Central Java about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of the Mount Kelud volcano in East Java province on February 14, 2014. Two people have been crushed to death after a volcanic eruption blanketed rooftops with rocks and ash, causing homes to cave in, an official said on February 14. AFP PHOTO / SURYO WIBOWO (Photo credit should read SURYO WIBOWO/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - An official in Indonesia says thousands of people are being evacuated after Mount Kelud on densely populated Java island erupted.

Muhammad Hendrasto, head of the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center, says the mountain in Kediri regency erupted late Thursday, about 90 minutes after authorities raised its status to the highest level.

Hendrasto urged about 200,000 people living in 36 villages within the danger zone of 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the crater to evacuate.

A series of huge blasts unleashing stones and gravel caused panic among villagers who immediately fled to safer areas.

In 1990, Kelud spewed searing fumes and lava that killed more than 30 people and injured hundreds. In 1919, a powerful explosion that reportedly could be heard hundreds of miles away killed at least 5,160.

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